A three-alarm fire continues to burn along the 200-block of South Court Street in downtown York City. Fire officials say it's now 80 percent contained but crews are still working to put out hot spots.
According to York City Fire Chief David Michaels, no one is believed to be trapped inside the three-story building, located at 237 South Court Street. Officials also confirm there are no injuries.
An automatic alarm rang out before 7 o'clock Saturday evening and officials say they got a call soon after. When crews arrived and attempted to go inside the building, they immediately had to evacuate because of the heavy smoke. "The building was very cut up. The fire was traveling to void spaces so we got our crews out," said Chief Michaels. 75 firefighters worked for hours to try and contain the fire, using all fire hydrants in the area and four ladder trucks.
According to Chief Michaels, the firefighters were allowed back in around 10:30 p.m. A slow process, says the Chief, because the building is considered unsafe due to the structural damage. There are 11 apartments located inside the building. A business on the first floor and residents on the second. All of them leaving with the clothes on their backs and have now lost everything.
Power is cut in some parts of the area and traffic lights are out downtown, all a result of the fire. Road closures are in place as well. The intersection of George Street north of College Avenue is closed and officials are urging people to avoid the area, if possible.
The Red Cross is working closely with residents, providing them with food and shelter, all of them now displaced. Officials say they are investigating the cause of the fire.